Full List of Fruits Quince Fruit
Introduction of Quince FruitNutritional Value of Quince FruitUses of Quince FruitHealth Benefits of Quince FruitSelection and StoragePreparation and StorageServing Tips
Quince Fruit
Scientific name - Cydonia oblonga
The Quince has a scientific name Cydonia oblonga that falls under the deciduous category of trees with a fruit resembling a pear in its appearance, a look alike of a pome fruit turning out to be golden yellow when fully grown. The length of the fruit is 7-12 centimeteres and the width of the fruit is 6-9 centimeters which is 2-3 and a half inches. The fruit before its maturity looks green and also dense grey-white in the pubescent stage and mostly changes in the end of fall turning out to be yellow in color with a hard, robust pulp with an exotic aroma.
The trees are neither too short nor tall growing under semi-tropical climatic conditions with about 10-15 feet height. The flowers bloom in the spring mostly and in the early days of summer too initially having pink-white colors later turning out to be golden color fruits similar to pomes. The size is bigger than that of the apple and partially similar to that of a big guava, avocado or looks like a pear with a short neck. The surface has a smooth texture similar to that of the peaches.
The weight of the fruit ranges from 250-750gms on an average and can vary too depending on that particular variety. The pulp has a light yellow color, stony with many number of seeds incorporated mainly in the middle like apples. The rawer part is richer in smell containing a bright yellow color mesmerizing the people liking fruit. The astringent nature and the fruits flavor do not perish even after it ripens.
Nutritional Value of Quince Fruit
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 238 kJ (57 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 15.3 g |
| Dietary fiber | 1.9 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Protein | 0.4 g |
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) | (2%) 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | (3%) 0.03 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | (1%) 0.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | (2%) 0.081 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | (3%) 0.04 mg |
| Folate (B9) | (1%) 3 µg |
| Vitamin C | (18%) 15 mg |
| Trace metals | |
| Calcium | (1%) 11 mg |
| Iron | (5%) 0.7 mg |
| Magnesium | (2%) 8 mg |
| Phosphorus | (2%) 17 mg |
| Potassium | (4%) 197 mg |
| Sodium | (0%) 4 mg |
| Zinc | (0%) 0.04 mg |
The fruit helps in the preparation of a local delicacy mostarda not mustard prepared traditionally served along with the Quince fruits jam also several ingredients such as candied fruit, spices, flavorings used in the production of a spread which is ate along with the combination of cheese and boiled meat and many others too. The trim form of wood is hard in texture and used for producing fire.
Due to its excellent aroma the fruits where earlier used in perfuming the rooms similar to that of the room fresheners used now. They are mainly of two types the global shaped one utilized to prepare confections and jams owing to its acidic nature the one which similar to that of the pear is not very sweet in taste and does not come under the sweet fruit category.
Health Benefits of Quince Fruit
The higher content of dietary fiber in the Quince helps people to reduce weight easily.
The antioxidant contents in the fruit acts as a barrier in combating cancer based problems sice it intensifies the body’s capabilities to combat free radicals.
They also have proved to have different anti-viral properties within it by various researchers.
The fruit solves the problems of gastric ulcer when take raw.
The consumption of the fruit on a regular basis helps the person to stay healthy.
It not only possesses contents to help digestion but also to reduce the rates of cholesterol in the body.
The potassium in the Quince aids in regulating the body blood pressure levels.
Due to variable amount of Vitamin C contents they bring down the major risks of heart diseases.
On a commercial basis, a fully matured, tight, bright golden-yellow colored fruits are chosen, the green colored, immature ones are not fit to be consumed and possess a bitter taste. Better to avoid a hurt and a wrinkled fruit because they completely lack flavor within them.
At room temperature they last up to a week and must be kept under refrigeration and dark atmosphere must avoid very high temperatures and also humidity. Best way to store is to place it inside a refrigerator.
The rawer part of the fruit is very sour in taste and is astringent in nature .They are not eaten without cooking since they have a bitter taste and cause a choking feeling inside the mouth due to the presence of chemicals such as the tannins While cooking the tannins are destroyed but keeps back the oils containing fragrance also the aromatic components. With a mixture of sugar and honey they produce many wonderful sweets and savories like the jams, jellies giving it a preservative nature.
For preparation the fruit is washed in chilled water and the fruit is cut into quarters like how pears and apples are cut. The central core is drilled out and the seeds must be removed with the help of paring knife. The fruit is cut into small pieces or also as wedges for cooking.
Quince helps in the preparation of wide range of confectionaries, the traditional dishes add on to it such as the pies, tarts, cakes, jams known as membrilos, marmalades and also jellies. The fruits contain a unique flavor.
The pulp is used to make stews additively seafood, poultry; lamb can also be prepared using the fruit since it contains an exotic flavor.
